Archive for July, 2013

The Longview School Board continues its series of study sessions on Long Range Facility Planning for the district, meeting this evening at R. A. Long High School to review and discuss a range of options that are available. The district is now publishing a list of eight options, starting with the “do nothing” option, then going through a variety of consolidation scenarios. Options are varied, including consolidation of the two high schools, retention of both high schools while consolidating the middle schools, closure of several elementary schools, and construction of new “mega-schools.” The Board is being asked to consider each of the options against four main questions: 1-How does this option address the district’s current building footprint? 2-Does this option ensure sufficient capacity to meet future needs? 3-Does this option ensure that the district has sufficient resources for both day-to-day operations and major renovations or building replacements? 4-Does this option support educational considerations and needs for our students? This evening’s meeting starts at 6:30 pm in Room 115 at R. A. Long, and is open to the public.

James Douglas Owen, 32, of Toledo is in the Cowlitz County Jail, facing several charges after an alleged shoplifting incident that took place last night at the 7th Avenue Walmart store. Around 11 pm, store security called Longview Police, reporting that Owen and an accomplice had filled backpacks with items, and then they threw those backpacks over the garden area gate. The suspects then loaded those packs into a car and took off. Deputies stopped the suspects near the Carnival Market about 20 minutes later. They say that Owen was driving while suspended, and was also wanted on a Kelso driving while suspended warrant. Along with those charges, he also is being charged with second-degree burglary and third-degree theft, and is being held without bail at this time. Owen is also trespassed from all Walmart properties for an indefinite period of time. It’s also reported that Owen may have been involved in a previous and similar incident in Longview. The investigation into the connection is continuing, so additional charges are possible.

The State Patrol says that a Bellevue man will be cited after a car-versus-motorcycle crash that took place yesterday afternoon on I-5 near Lexington Bridge Drive. Around 2:25 pm, Anand Abhishek, 25, of Bellevue northbound, as Halsey Hines, 68, of Chehalis was riding in the left lane. State Troopers say that Abhishek suddenly moved from the center lane to the left lane, clipping Hines’ motorcycle. Hines was taken to Saint John Medical Center, where he was treated and released. Abhishek was unhurt. Troopers say that charges for an unsafe lane change are pending.

Lewis Rehak, 65, of Kelso is listed in satisfactory condition at PeaceHealth Southwest Washington Medical Center in Vancouver, after suffering several injuries in Saturday afternoon motorcycle crash on Tennant Way. Around 5:15 Saturday afternoon, Rehak was eastbound on Tennant Way, heading toward Kelso Drive and Old Pacific Highway. State Troopers say that Rehak swerved, and then lost control of his bike, going off of the highway. Rehak was taken to Vancouver by LifeFlight with head, chest and abdomen injuries. An off-duty Seattle firefighter helped to provide the initial first aid at the crash scene. The collision remains under investigation; Troopers say no charges are anticipated at this time.

If you’re a user of 32nd Avenue at Washington Way, be aware of some sewer work that could cause congestion in that area. Starting this morning, a contractor for the City of Longview is going to start working on a sewer construction project at 32nd and Washington Way, with work expected to go through Friday. Intermittent lane closures in each direction are possible; travel in each direction will be maintained, but left turns from Washington Way to 32nd will be restricted. Southbound 32nd will be closed between Hemlock and Washington Way, and parking will be restricted. Call the City of Longview is you need more information.

James Douglas Owen, 32, of Toledo is in the Cowlitz County Jail, facing several charges after an alleged shoplifting incident that took place last night at the 7th Avenue Walmart store. Around 11 pm, store security called Longview Police, reporting that Owen and an accomplice had filled backpacks with items, and then they threw those backpacks over the garden area gate. The suspects then loaded those packs into a car and took off. Deputies stopped the suspects near the Carnival Market about 20 minutes later. They say that Owen was driving while suspended, and was also wanted on a Kelso driving while suspended warrant. Along with those charges, he also is being charged with second-degree burglary and third-degree theft, and is being held without bail at this time. Owen is also trespassed from all Walmart properties for an indefinite period of time. It’s also reported that Owen may have been involved in a previous and similar incident in Longview. The investigation into the connection is continuing, so additional charges are possible.

Responding to a number of requests, the 5K Nutcracker Dash adventure race is being moved from August 17th to October 12th. In a letter posted on the race website late last week, organizer Skip Mezger says that there were too many things going on that weekend of the 17th, so they’re moving the race to make it “more accessible. Mezger also says that they’re joining up with the annual Race against Juvenile Diabetes, adding the 5K adventure race course to the 5K and 10K runs that are planned with that event. Proceeds from the Nutcracker Dash will now be split between the Veterans Service Center, the YMCA summer camp program and the Pioneer Lions diabetes program. Registration and more information is available on the Nutcracker Dash website, at nutcrackerdash.com.

The Longview City Council is moving ahead with a $29,000 consultant contract, which will take a close look at the city’s water quality and the quality of its distribution system. This came up after more than 200 complaints about hard water, discoloration and staining after the switch to the Mint Farm Water Treatment Plant. However, Project Manager Amy Blain says it appears that the problem is in the city’s pipes, not the water itself…waterquality…Blain says that their testing, from the plant opening to the present day, shows that levels of iron and other metals are far below their targets. She also says that the analysis shows that problems with water hardness and discoloration are being caused by chemicals that are leaching from decades of scale that’s built up inside the city’s water distribution pipes. Public Works Director Jeff Cameron says that some of these problems were anticipated when the flow of water in that system was reversed as the new water plant came on line. There have been significant issues in the Baltimore Street area, between Oregon Way, Nichols Boulevard and 22nd Avenue. Mains in that area are now being flushed weekly in an attempt to reduce the problems. The city will now contract with Confluence Engineering to analyze the extent of the problem and possible solutions. The initial contract will be paid out of the Regional Water Supply Project budget. A timeline on a report hasn’t been disclosed, but city officials are planning for quick action on this issue.

Weyerhaeuser is out with its second-quarter report this morning, and the news is pretty goof for the Federal Way-based timber giant. Net income for the quarter is reported at $196 million, compared to $47 million in the same period last year. Net sales are also up 20 percent, reported at $2.1 billion. The company is also reporting the acquisition of 645,000 acres of forestlands across the northwest, purchased from Longview Timber. In this morning’s conference call, President and CEO Dan Fulton says that this was a “milestone quarter,” with the company moving forward both strategically and operationally. Fulton says that they should see some slowdown in the timber and wood products sectors in the coming quarter, and in, but there could be a slight bump up in the cellulose fiber and real estate segments of the company.

It doesn’t appear that any serious damage was done when a fire was reported yesterday afternoon in a warehouse at the Weyerhaeuser millsite in Longview. Around 1:15 yesterday afternoon, Longview Fire crews were called to the warehouse, which also contains the extruder department. Firefighters arrived and found a small fire on the second floor of the building, apparently contained in a restroom ceiling fan. That fire spread into the ceiling space, burning above the bathroom and below a third-floor office. The firefighters used pike poles to open up the ceiling, and then were able to get the fire out, using only a minimal amount of water. They say that helped keep damage to a minor amount. The scene was then turned over to Weyco employees, who did some additional overhaul, and maintained a fire watch, to make sure the fire didn’t re-kindle.